Florida firefighter and wife accused of locking 12-year-old daughter in a room for years – and claim it was a religious practice

Joel Kohnert, 44, a Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue lieutenant, and his wife, Jennifer Kohnert, 45, face charges after allegedly locking their daughter in a room for years - (Broward Sheriff’s Office)

A Florida firefighter and his wife are accused of locking their 12-year-old daughter in a bedroom for years where she slept on an air mattress and had no access to a bathroom, according to authorities.

Joel Kohnert, 44, a Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue lieutenant, and his wife, Jennifer Kohnert, 45, were arrested Tuesday by Coral Springs Police and each charged with one count of child abuse without great bodily harm, according to jail records.